The public health direction, Mask wearing requirements, is now available online. Additionally, Public Health has recently published guidance on the mask wearing requirements.

The direction does not require mask wearing inside private residential premises for residents, family and friends. However, persons that enter that premises primarily for the purposes of providing goods or services (whether paid or not), are subject to the mask wearing requirements.

When supporting a person with disability in their residence, the person with a disability and their family would not be subject to the mask requirements. The staff entering the home would be subject to the mask requirements.

The direction allows for a range of temporary exemptions from the mask wearing requirements. For example, in cases where “the wearing of the fitted face covering would create a risk to the health or safety of the person”, the worker would not need to wear a mask while they are working with that particular client. Other temporary exemptions include when seeing the mouth is necessary for communication.